The Tucson Sugar Skulls (2-7) kept the game close, and was a play away from taking control seemingly all game, but the ultimately suffered a road loss to the Spokane Shock (6-3) by a score of 45-34 on Saturday night.
(Spokane, WA) The Tucson Sugar Skulls (2-7) kept the game close, and was a play away from taking control seemingly all game, but the ultimately suffered a road loss to the Spokane Shock (6-3) by a score of 45-34 on Saturday night.
It was as simple as trading scores throughout the first three quarters, but then the Shock owned the fourth.
Story of Special Teams
The Sugar Skulls special teams had an up-and-down performance against the Shock. Tucson tightened up their onside kick recovery team against the Shock as they spoiled three attempts by Spokane.
Returner Jazeric Peterson was effective on several returns, as he dodged and weaved his way to good field position consistently. Peterson finished with 48 return yards (145) Saturday.
Penalties took its toll on special teams, which caused multiple kick returns to be brought back to allow the Shock defense to recover vital field position.
And in the third quarter, just as the Sugar Skulls brought the game to a 24-24 tie, Davonte Sapp-Lynch ran back a kick return to put the Shock up by seven.
Tucson would not regain the lead for the rest of the night.
Jones Keeps Rolling
Running back Mike Jones scored every TD for the for the Sugar Skulls in another dynamic offensive performance. Jones caught four passes as well for 42 yards (250).
On Saturday night, Jones rushed 15 times for 42 yards (280) and three TDs (16) and added one receiving TD (5).
This performance for Jones was caring over the momentum from an impressive five touchdown game against the Duke City Gladiators a week ago. All of this despite Jones health being rated at about 90 percent going into Saturday’s game.
Rookie quarterback Demry Croft found success through the air against the top-ranked passing defense in the IFL, throwing for 117 yards (1,428) and a TD (25).
Wide Receiver Jazeric Peterson made some impressive grabs to end the game and finished with four catches for 43 yards. Peterson also leveraged drives early in the game, which allowed Tucson to keep pace.
Heavy Hitters
Linebacker Jajuan Harley returned to the field, for the first time since his injury, and made his impact felt.
After another injury scare in the first half, one that left Harley rolling on the turf in pain, Harley came right back to sling down Spokane QB Blake Sims in the backfield for the only sack of the game. The sack was Harley’s first of the season, and he finished with 3.5 tackles (23.5).
Defensive back Mike Minter came back into the lineup and led the team in tackles with 4.5 total (30.5) to go along with a pass break-up (7). DB Matt Elam laid some heavy hits to finish the game with 4 tackles (47).
Malik Boynton also saw action at the DB position in his first week with Tucson on Saturday. Boynton finished with 1 tackle but was in the game when it mattered the most down the stretch.
Battling Bismarck
The Sugar Skulls will return home to host the Bismarck Bucks (6-5) in their first matchup in franchise history on Saturday, July 24 at 6:05 p.m. MST. The Bucks are coming off a thrilling 43-42 win over the Frisco Fighters this past Saturday.
The Sugar Skulls defense will look to stop a Bucks squad that is third in the IFL in offensive efficiency (160.0). Bismark is led by Justin Rankin, who’s tied for second in the IFL in rushing TDs (13) going into Week-12. The Bucks defense is led by Malik Duncan, and Da’Von Keith, who are both tied for second in the IFL in tackles-for-loss (8.5).
Press Release courtesy of the Tucson Sugar Skulls – Christopher Cadeau
